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Growing KiwiCultural requirements Native to Eastern Asia. An introduced fruit crop to America that is gaining popularity as a backyard fruit. Emerald-green flesh with small, black edible seeds. Plant in zones 7-9 (1-10 for Hardy Kiwi). For the self-fertile Issai Hardy Kiwi, fruiting is satisfactory even in mild Winters. Kiwi grow best in areas with mild Spring and Fall weather and high Summer Temperatures. Early Fall frost or late Spring frost can be detrimental. Planting & growing instructions Kiwi can be grown in a wide range of soils, as long as the soil is well-drained. Choose a planting site that is protected from strong winds, as long canes can break easily. Plant 10-15 feet apart. Kiwi need a good deal of water for healthy growth; do not let the vines dry out. Water frequently and deeply in very hot weather. In late Summer or Fall, do not fertilize and taper off water to avoid encouraging frost-tender new growth. Pruning Vines can spread up to 30 feet and need to be supported by trellis or arbor or espalier. Most fruit is produced on new growth that emerges from 1 year old wood. Prune only fully dormant vines. Pruning after the buds swell results in loss of sap and weakened vines. See a basic pruning book for specifics on pruning kiwi, such as Fruits and Berries for the Home Garden, by Lewis Hill. Harvesting Fruit must be picked hard and then softened at room temperature. Signs of ripeness include the skin color turning from green to full brown or when the first fruits turn soft. Once harvested, Kiwi can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 months or at room temperature for 2 weeks. If picked too late, fruit will not store well and if picked too early the fruit will be tart. CHILLING REQUIREMENTS Most fruiting plants need adequate cold dormancy before the beginning of their flowering period. For many plants, this dormancy period has been calculated & is known as its 'chilling requirement'. The chilling requirement is the minimum number of hours between 32°F and 45°F that the plant must be exposed to during its dormancy. Numbers printed after each tree description, such as (700), indicate the approximate chilling hours required. Generally, varieties that have higher chilling requirements bloom later than other varieties within the same species. Growers in mild winter climates will want to select varieties with low chilling requirements so that the cold needs of the plant will be met in most years. Chilling requirements should not be confused with cold hardiness. A plant with a lower chilling requirement may be grown in cold areas, but it will bloom sooner than high chill varieties and be vulnerable to frost damage. Information on the average chilling hour accumulation for your area is available from your local Master Gardeners or Ag Commissioner.
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